Advice Required

[Cartmansmammy]

HiI am 64, type 2 diabetic, high bp, gastric problems.

I have been having funny turns not thought anything about it until I had a really bad one.

I start with a pain in my ribs which then radiates all the way round like a band. At the same time the same thing happens in my jaw. It is the jaw pain that has most concerned my Dr.Usually they have come on and gone off very quickly the bad one lasted about half an hour. So far no other symptoms except the awful band of pain. These come on at various times say at work where I have a desk job. The last one came on 1.30am when I had just gone to bed. No real pattern.

My Dr asked for ecg and blood tests all of which came back OK. I am waiting for a cardiology appointment. I am being treated as angina until otherwise proven. I was given a spray and 2 lots of meds to go with my already huge amount of meds I already take.

I haven't used the spray yet but I am on ppi meds for acid (4 days now) so doubt that is the cause. Last attack early Sunday morning.

Please could I ask if anyone with angina has had it present this way?

I am still living in hope it could be gallstones or something.

It has really knocked my confidence and made me anxious. I never considered I could have heart problems previously as the years I have been diabetic I haven't developed complications as yet. It has really stopped me in my tracks.

If you have read this far can I thank you very much. I don't know what to do for the best really.

[Happyrosie]

id say go to TRUSTED sources of information such as Diabetes UK or Blood Pressure UK to ensure that you are doing all you can, personally, to follow their guidance on lifestyle and diet. That’s so you know you’re as much in control as you can be, and this in turn should take away some of the “what ifs” worry.

Angina can present in different ways, especially in women. You are being assessed by your doctor so that’s ongoing.

Then some breathing exercises to help you control your emotions.

Other posters might give their tips.

[jayjay10000 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi there, iam really sorry that you are having problems with your heart health at the moment, I know it can be worrying, trust me I know from experience. The thing is your issue seems to be recurring mostly at night or early hours especially when you are resting, that is usually the case for most people trying to deal with some kind of heart issues, first of all I would go back to your doctors and raise your concerns what you are dealing with at the moment is there anyone you can talk with about your concerns, if it happens again I would go back to hospital and have this checked out ASAP, but I would take someone with you for support

[Partner20 in reply to jayjay10000]

This reply was sent to the wrong person by mistake I think.

[Mentdent]

That pain sounds exactly like the pain I get with reflux. Starts under my ribs and in my jaw. If I drink a glass of water or chew a couple of gavascon and it’s gone.

[Cartmansmammy in reply to Mentdent]

I'm hoping that could be the case as I have only been on the tablets for acid since Friday and last attack was Saturday.

[devonian186]

Are any of your conditions related to your weight or fitness?

Excess weight could cause the type 2 diabetes and high BP. These in turn could be related to poor eating habits which affect the vagus nerve and stomach area.

[Cartmansmammy in reply to devonian186]

Being honest all of them. I have had a real wake up call. I've put some weight on in the last 6 months. I have had axatern word with myself and woke up.

[devonian186]

No doubt you will set a realistic target. It worth checking waist size as well. My REAL waist size (measured correctly) is nothing like my trouser waist size.

Fat settles round vital organs and one of the signs is the waist size exceeding a particular formula, shown here on the BHF site

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Knavesmire27]

I am so sorry to hear your problems, it must be so scary for you. I do understand. Different heart issues but totally understand your anxiety and concerns. Things like this make our "fight or flight" impulses take over which in turn send our imaginations into overdrive, trying to second guess everything and the "what if" scenarios. I hope you get your cardiology appt soon and make sure you ask all the questions you have, no matter how trivial you might think they are, it will help you. Good luck and take care

[Qualipop]

I can only say try the spray and see if it works but sit down and be prepared for a bad headache. I've been on stomach protection for years and even so it still gets bad at times so I'm doubled up with pain around my stomach. I then ( w ith GP approval) have to double my dose for about 3 weeks. Personally I'd r ing 111 when you get the pain. They would almost certainly send an ambulance so the paramedics could do an ECG while it's happening. They wouldn't necessarily take you to A&E

[EdtheDead]

Exactly the same problem. I was diagnosed with a Heart Attack in Sept 23 with these symptoms then a month later told I had Pericarditis.

Struggled with this pain now constantly for the last 16 months.

February of last year we moved House and into a new Health Authority area.

I'd been begging for a Cardiac MRI for months because I doubted the original diagnosis and finally my new Cardiologist agreed as he believed something with the original diagnosis didn't quite ring true.

Had it done in August 24 and the results totally refuted the original diagnosis. Didn't know whether to feel relieved or damned angry.

I have erosive Gastritis and a Gallstone, and have had for years. It is now believed that it is this that is the source of my pain.

Gastroscopy confirmed.